Further cast update for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory musical

Dom O'Hanlon
Dom O'Hanlon

Producers of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - The Musical, which is currently running at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane and is approaching its second anniversary in London's West End, have announced cast updates for the musical.

Joining the previously announced Jonathan Slinger, who is set to take over the role of 'Willy Wonka' from Alex Jennings from 4 May 2015 will be Kraig Thornber (Grandpa George), Lara Denning (Mrs Bucket) and Mark Oxtoby (Jerry).

Almost two-thirds of the current cast will be staying with the show for another year in Wonka's factory, including Myra Sands, Roni Page, Jasna Ivir, Ross Dawes, Paul J. Medford, Derek Hagen, Kate Graham and Joe Allen, who have all been with the show since it opened in Spring 2013.

The musical, directed by Sam Mendes, opened at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane on 25 June 2013, following previews from 18 May 2013 and is currently booking to 4 June 2016.

The full cast as of 4 May 2015 will include: Jonathan Slinger, Barry James, Ross Dawes, Josefina Gabrielle, Jasna Ivir, Paul J. Medford, Lara Denning, Derek Hagen, Roni Page, Myra Sands, Kraig Thornber, Joe Allen, Meg Astin, Joel Baylis, Andy Brady, Simon Campbell, Georgia Carling, Andrew Carthy, Collette Coleman, Dan Cooke, Divine Cresswell, Billy Cullum, Connor Dowling, Kelly Edwards, Gemma Fuller, Kate Graham, Sam Lathwood, Lucinda Lawrence, Mark Oxtoby, Matthew Rowland, Rebecca Seale, Steven Serlin, Gregory Sims, Robert Tregoning, Tara Verloop, Michelle White, and Mark Williamson.

Jonathan Slinger's stage credits include numerous appearances with the Royal Shakespeare Company, such as title roles in "Hamlet", "Macbeth", "Richard II" and "Richard III". Slinger's most recent West End stage role was playing Officer Lockstock in Jamie Lloyd's production of "Urinetown The Musical", at the Apollo Theatre.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - The Musical has book by David Greig and new songs from Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman. Designs & costumes by Mark Thompson, choreography by Peter Darling, lighting by Paul Pyant and sound by Paul Arditti.

"The mysterious Willy Wonka is opening his Chocolate Factory for just one day, and for Charlie Bucket it promises to be a mouth-watering chance to feast his eyes on sweets beyond his wildest imagination."

The show, which has broken multiple records at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, where it has been seen by over 1.25 million people since it opened, is produced by Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures, Neal Street Productions and Kevin McCormick.


Originally published on

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